Fountain pen



May` 15, 1945.

A. Q. DAHLBERG FUNTAIN PEN :s sheets-shed 1 Filed Nov. 19, 1943 e a z,01"? VIII/[lll l5, 1945- A. o. DAHLBERG FOUNTAIN PEN 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Nov. 19, 1945 A. O. DAHLBERG May 15, 1945.

FOUNTAIN PEN 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 19, 1943 Patented May 15, 1945UNITEDf STATES PATENT OFFICE FOUNTAIN PEN Arthur 0. Dahlberg, Scarsdaie,N. Y.

Application November 19, 1943, Serial No. 510,902

' (ci. 12o-52) 31 Claims.

My invention relates generally to fountain pens and more particularly toan improved pen point and means for mounting the pen point in inkreceiving communication with the ink reservoir. The present inventionrepresents an improvement over my prior patented invention disclosed andclaimed in Letters Patent No. 2.016.106, issued October 1, 1935.

One of the most expensive elements in a fountain pen is the pen point ornib, which necessarily has a relatively high content of gold inproportion to any other metals which may be used. The well knownanti-corrosive characteristic of gold makes it an almost indispensableelement in the manufacture of pen points for fountain pens. Anypractical construction by which the amount of gold required is reducedis extremely desirable, provided the writing characteristics orusefulness of the pen are not impaired.

The assembly of the nib and the feed bar is an operation which atpresent usually requires a high degree of skill, and any method ofassembling these parts which could be practiced by a less skilledworkman would also reduce the cost of manufacture. My inventioncontemplates the formation of a nib having a shape complementary to theshape of the feed bar, which would automatically correctly position thenib on the feed bar when these parts are assembled.

It has become a custom among fountain pen manufacturers to guaranteetheir product for life or forever. To make a pen stand up under constantuse for a long period of time, the manufacturers have made the Ipenpoint harder and stiffer, which makes writing with such a point lesspleasant and more wearying. I have overcome this objection to guaranteedfountain pens by mounting the nib in such manner thatthe shock ofwritingis absorbed, yet without in any way restricting the iiow of inkfrom the ink reservoir to the writing point. Furthermore, I have beenable appreciably to reduce the cost of the nib by materially reducingits size and without impairing its utility in fountain pen constructionsemploying a capillary ink collector which is separate from the feed bar.

A patent issued in the name of Marlin S. Baker on December 3, 1940, No.2,223,541, relates to a fountain pen which is marketed by The ParkerAPen Company ofJanesville, Wisconsin, under the trade name of "Parker 51.In the fountain pen of this construction, the nib has a shank ofconsiderable length which is mounted within an ink collector to formcapillary ink passages which, through other capillary passages, are incommunication with the ink reservoir. My present invention is also animprovement over the Parkerl construction in that the shank of the pennib may be relatively short and is mounted independently of the inkcollector. This 'reduces the cost of manufacture of such pens withoutdestroying any of the advantages gained by the type of constructionillustrated in the Baker patent.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to obtain all of theadvantages in fountain pen 4construction set out above, and to impart tothe improved fountain pen the desired writing characteristics, whilereducing the manufacturing costs.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the lower half of afountain pen embodying my invention:

Fig. 2 is a greatly enlarged plan viev of the underside of the pen pointmounted in the pen illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the pen point and may be considered asItaken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the lower end of the penof Fig. 1, taken on the same plane but looking in the opposite directionand showing another form of positioning the ink ducts in the feed bar;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the pen point;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the lower end of the feed barillustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a second embodiment ofmy invention, and illustrates the filling mechanism;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken'` on the line 8-8 ofFig. 7;

' Fig. 9 is a cross sectional View of the lower end of the pen taken onthe plane of the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side View of that portion ofthe barrel carryingthe cap retaining ring;

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view taken on the line lI-II of Fig. 7;

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view of the lower end of a fountain pen,illustrating another form of the pen point;`

Fig. 13 `is a cross sectional view of the lower end of a fountain pensimilar to the pen of Fig. 1, but illustrating a modified construction;

Fig. 14 illustrates the shock absorber mounting of my invention and is across sectional view of the lower end of a pen; and

Fig. 15 is a view similar'to Fig. 14, but showing a modifiedconstruction of the shock absorber mounting.

For a better and more complete understanding of the principles on whichthe ink collector operates, reference may be had to the aforementionedBaker patent and to Patent No. 2,187,-

528, issued January 16, 1940, to Russell T. Wing.`

` sition-nearly vertical.)

Thefountain pen of my invention comprises a barrel section 26 forming anink reservoir 22.

which is adapted to be filled by a filling mechanism 24 (Fig. 7) of thecharacter described lnmy prior Patent No. 1,964,358, issued April 18,1933. This mechanism includesa flexible diaphragm 26 ydetachably securedat 26 to the upper end of the barrel and is actuated by a spring biasedreciprocable plunger 36. A breather tube 32 completes the llingmechanism. Downward movement of the plunger 36 expands the diaphragm 26and expels air from the reservoir, and upward movement sucks ink in tothe reservoir. The operation of reciprocating the plunger 36 may berepeated as often as is necessary to flll the reservoir 22, and istaught by myprior patent. l

The specific type of nlling mechanism forms no part of my presentinvention, and any other suitable type may be used with equal facility.

Referring to Fig. 1, the ink feeding mechanism comprises an inkcollector 34, afeed bar 36, a nib 38, and an outer shell 46. The barrel`26 is provided at its lower end with an extension 42 having a reducedouter diameter and threads at 44. (In this specification, and in theappended claims, the words lower and upper used in describing thevarious elements are to be considered with respect to a pen held inwriting po- 'I'he shell 46 has internal threads at 46 and is adapted tobe threaded onto the extension 42. A cap retaining ring 48 is `heldbetween end 66 of the shell 46 and a 'I'he ink collector 34 is also ofthe type shown in the Baker patent, and functions according to theprinciples described thereinand also in the Wing patent to preventflooding of the pen under varying conditions cf use. It is formed withan extension 66 which has a slip ilt in a bore 68 in the extension 42 ofthe barrel 26. The ink collector 34 is provided with a plurality ofcircumferential fins 66, the spaces between which become progressivelywider toward the lower end of the collector so that when ink is takenfrom these spaces they empty from the lower end of the collector towardthe top. The extension 66 has a flattened portion 6| to create.a'primary capillary channel in communication with the reservoir 22. Acapillary ink slot 62 is cut for approximately the full length of theink collector 34 and is in communication with the channel formed by theflat portion 6| and also with the reservoir 22. It also provides a pathfor ink flow between the spaces formed between the fins 66. A slot 63.wider than the ink slot 62, is formed preferably on the opposite side ofthe collector, and provides a path for ink flow between the spacesformed between the fins 66. The collector is bored at 64 to receive theupper end ofthe feed bar in a. sliding fit. A second and slightly largerbore 66 concentric with the bore 64 and surrounding the feed bar 36 isformed in the ink collector 34 and with the feed bar forms a channel 16,the function of which will become more f fully apparent hereinafter.

86 may be provided with a single capillary ink duct 16, as shown in Fig.1, or two or more oi them 18'86 (Figs. 4 and 6) which out through' thefrusta-conical portion 14. At the lowe': end of the feed bar the ducts18, or II- 86,'cornmunicate with the usual slit 82 formed in the nib 38,the slit 82 terminating in an opening 84. and receiving ink, in part byway of a capillary space 88. The capillary space 86 may be formed by aat portion 88 on the end of the feed bar and beneath the nib, and may beclosed at its lower end by a shoulder 86 on the feed bar, although theclearance between the nib and feed bar may provide an adequate inkconveying duct.

Ink is fed from the reservoir 22 to the writing tip by way of thecapillary duct 62 in the ink collector, the spaces between the fins 66,channel '|6, ducts 'I6 (or 18-86), and 86 in the feed bar, and slit 82in the nib. The ink in the reservoir is replaced by air from an airspace 82 which bubbles its way through the ink collector 34 and air duct63 often forcing from the spaces between the fins 66 any ink which mayhave co1- lected there. The air space 92 communicates with theatmosphere through a slot 94 in the underside of the feed bar 38 throughthe frustaconical portion 14.

The nib 3s, most c1ear1y shown in Figs. 2, 3, and V 5, has a shank 86 offrusto-conical shape, flaring outwardly toward the top throughapproximately one-third of its length. A longitudinal slot 88 is formedby the edges of the shank portion 86. At one side of the slot 88, one ofthe edges has a flange |62 bent inwardly toward the center of the shank.This flange 62 engages in a com- `plemental recess |66 in the feed barto assure exact angular alignment of the feed bar and nib. The flange|62, by its engagement in the recess |66 at the upper end of thefrusto-conica'l portion 14, also determines the position of the niblongitudinally with respect to the feed bar. The

pen nib is thus prevented from yeither angular or longitudinaldisplacement with respect to the feed bar and may be readily removed byflexing the nib to disengage the flange |62 from the recess I66. The nib38 may be formed by stamping out the desired shape from a sheet and thenrolling the blank thus formed in order to obtain the desired taper.

The shell 46 -is provided with a frusto-conical seat |66 into which theshank 86 of the nib 38 is wedged. 1 The seat |66 communicates with abore |68 at the lower end of the shell-which is formed with a portionoverlying the nib, but

,spaced from it to provide a space permitting flexure of the nib. Someink retained in the capillary space I| 6 aids in maintaining the nib incondition for instant writing action.

The fountain` pen of my invention may be assembled rapidly and withoutrequiring the services of a skilled craftsman. The ink collector 34 -fis slipped into the bore 68 at the lower end of the barrel 26. Thebreather tube 32 is positioned in theA bore 68 and the frusto-conicalshank 86 of the nib 38 is snapped in place with the nange I 62 fittingin the recess |66. 'I'he feed bar and its associated parts are droppedinto'the shell 46 l so that the shank 86 is securely wedged into itsseat |66. I he shell 46 'is then screwed onto the barrel 26 with thering 48 held in place, the feed bar sliding in the bore 64. The pen iseasily disassembled for repairs or to change the pen points. After theshell has been removed, the nib may be changed by applying a drift pinor the like against a shoulder on the underside of the feed bar andgently tapping it to unseat the feed bar and nib from the-'seat |08. lIfit is 'necessary to. clean out the ink reservoir 22,.the ink collector34 may be removed with ease. -It is thus apparent that the feed bar 36,breather .tube 32, and nib 30 constitute one assembly, while the inkcollector '34 may, either be separate or may constitute a part of thebarrel assembly.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 7 to l1, thebarrel 20 may be of unitary construction throughout its entire length,or may be of the two-part construction illustrated. The barrel has anink reservoir 22 and a filling mechanism 24 as previously described.Themp retainer ||2 may. if required, be a split ring which may be openedup and slipped over the barrel 20. The pen is provided with an ink col.

lector ||6 which has the same' function as the collector 34, butisthreaded at ||8 so as to be held in place in the shell 40.l Thecollector ||6 may be slotted at |22 to receive a screw driver or similartool for positioning the collector ||6 in the shell.

A relatively narrow ink duct"|24 is cut approx"- mately the entirelength of the collector II6, and

' a relatively wideair du'ct is cut across the fins 60. Because thecollector ||6 is of slightly less diameter than the interior of thebarrel 20. there |28 forms a capillary channel |34 which is incommunication with the bore |36 'in the upper end of the feed barthrough'the port |38; the breather tube '32 is pressed into the bore|36.

A bore |42 is 'formed in the lower end |40 of the shell 440 to receivethe feed -bar |30 in an ink -se'aling relationship. A second and "largerbore |44 concentric with the bore |42, provides a space into which a'nib |46 maybe inserted. The nib v|46 has a straight shank portion |48and a slot |50 in the lower-side thereof. The shank portion |48 isstudded with indentations |56 which grip the end of thefeed bar when thenib is positioned thereon. If preferred, the shank portion may beprovided wth a plurality'fof longitudinal ridges instead of indentations|56. The'shank-'portion |48 has a normal diameter slightly less than thediameter of the end of the feed bar andwhen the shank is placed on 'thefeed bar. it must be opened slightly. The nib, therefore, grips the feedbar sufficiently to prevent its being removed or displacedunintentionally.

A capillary duct |56 extends throughout the greater length` ofthe feedbar '|30 and 'communicateswith the ink reservoir 22 throughthecapillary' channel |34, capillary' duct |24, and capillary space |25.The indentations |56 space thel nib slightly away from the feed bar |30to form' a' capillarv space v|60 under the nib which may be closed bythe shoulder '|62 at the end of the feed bar and which is'in inkreceiving `communication with the duct |58. The capillary space |60maintains the nib wet while the peri. is not in use to facilitateinstantwriting when needed, and also provides an' effective block toprevent leakage at this point. Air is restored to anair' space |10 fromthe atmosphere through the. air duct |66 which is cut in the undersideof the feed-bar from the lower end thereof to a point adjacent the lowerAend of the ink collector ||6. From the air space |10 air bubblesthrough the collector when the pen is inv use to replace the ink.

The nib |46 may be very readily changed in this embodiment of theinvention, since it is unnecessary to remove any part other than thenib. As seen most clearly in Fig. 8, the indentations |56 (or ridges, ifpreferred) may be placed on the shank |48 in such a manner that the nib|46 may assume only one correct angular position relative to the feedbar without slipping off. If two series of indentations |56 (or tworidges) engage the feed bar at the edges of the channel |66, the shank|48 will tightly grip the feed bar and the nib is also accuratelylocated. If it is desired, the lower end of the feed bar may, inaddition. be provided with very shallow grooves to receive theindentations |56 and thus accurately position the nib. The nib |46 maybe inserted to the point at whichthe end of shank abuts against theshoulder |68 forming a wall between the bore |44 and the air space |10.

The construction shown in Fig. l2 is similar to that shown in Figs. 7and 9, except that nib |12 is provided with a straight,`smooth shankportion |414 which is slotted -at |16 on the underside thereof. Theexterior surface of the shank frictionally engages the interior surfaceof the bore |44. The feed bar |30 is shaped so that its lowermost tip|10 rests against the underside of the nib adjacent the writng point.The shell 40 may be relieved sufficiently adjacent the tip of the nib topermit some ilexure thereof.

The shank |14, when unconned, has :an outside diameter which is slightlygreater than the inside diameter of the bore |44, and the nib isinserted between the surface of the bore |44 and the feed bar |30 bycompressing it slightly while pushing it back against the shoulder |68.When the nib has been properly positioned longitudinally and angularlywith respect to the bore, it may be released and the outer surface ofthe nib |12 frictionally eng-ages the interior surface of the bore |44and is thus held securely in postion. The nib of this embodiment of myinvention is readily removed for repairs or changing. and itsmanufacturing cost is low. It is to be understood, of course, thateither of the nibs |46 and |12 may be mounted in a detachable shellporton similar to the shell 40, but the feed bar must be mountedrelative to the ink collector H6 or 34, and not relative to a detachablymounted lower shell portion unless it is secured therein.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 13. the ink collector 34 isspaced from the interior wall of the ink reservoir 22 slightly to provdea capillary space V|18 which is in communication with the ink reservoir22 and the capillary duct 62. To prevent the inl:I from leaking from thereservoir 22 directly into the air space 02 below the ink collector 34,the latter s provided with n, flange |80 which has a slip iit in theshell 40 and isen'gaged by the lower end of the extension 42. The' feedbar is a sli-p fit in the bore 64 of the ink -collectcu-` 34 and theextent of the inward movement thereof may be limited by the shoulder|82. The breather tube 32 extends into the reservoir 22 through bore |84in the collector 34 and is pressed into the bore 68 in the feed bar 36inthe manner described in connection with .Adjacent the lower end of thefeed bar, ay

frusta-conical Iportion |86 is formed similar to the portion '|4. Thenib |88 has a frusto-conical shankportion |90 flaring outwardly towardthe upper end thereof, and has a circumferential inwardly directedflange |92 which engages a shoulder I 84 forming the upper end of theconical portion |86. The shell 40 is formed in a manner similar to Fig.1, with a frusta-conical seat |98 in to which the shank |90 andfrusto-conical portion |86 of the feed bar are wedged. llf desired,interengaging means on the feed bar `and nib may be provided todetermine their angular relationship. y

Ink is fed to the writing tip from the duct 16, which is in inkreceiving communication with the capillary channel '|0, capillary duct62, and capillary space |19. Air is supplied to the air space 92 fromthe atmosphere through a ductfeed bar assembly is then wedged into theconical seat |98 in the lower end of the shell 40. The ink collector 34is slipped over the end of the breather tube 32 and feed bar 36 vso thatits -iiange |80 slides within and engages the wall of the shell 40.'I'he shell is then screwed on to the portion 42 of the barrel 20 andthe feed bar 36 slides within the borev 64. 'I'he extension 42 of thebarrel 20 forces the collector 34 into the shell 40 so that the flange|80 slides on the interior wall of the shell 40, sealing the air space32 from the ink reservoir 22 and positioning the ink collector at theproper place within the shell 40. This assembly operation also tightlywedges the shank |90 of the nib |88 in the seat |88 from which it may beremoved by placing a drift pin or the like against the shoulder 206 atthe end of the air duct 204.

4In Figs. 14 and 15, I have illustrated the shock absorber" method ofmounting the nib and feed bar in the lower end of the pen. As waspointed out in the introductory remarks to this specification, in themanufacture of foun- The longitudinal capillary duct 62 whichA nib isremoved or changed. It is apparent that any other material which has thesame characteristics may be used with equal facility, and it is not myintention to limit myself to the use of'elastic Vinylite. l v 1 In theembodiment of Fig. 14, my novel fountain pen has an ink collector 2 I0which is mounted in the lower end of the ink reservoir-in the sam'emanner asthe collectors 84 or ||8. A feed bar 2|2 is slidably mounted ina. bore 2|4 in the collector 2|0 and carries a breather tube 2|6 securedin a bore 2|8. `A second bore 220 surrounds the feed bar andcommunicates with the breather tube 2|6 through a portv222 and with theink reservoir through a capillary slot 224 cut longitudinally of thecollector 2|0 and to one sideA thereof. The annular capillary Yspaces226, which become progressively wider toward the lower end of thecollector 2|0, communicate with the ink reservoir through the slot 220and with an air space 228 formed within a shell 230, which may besimilar .to the shell 40. A

The feed bar is formed with a tapered portion 232 to receive` shankportion 2,34 of a nib 236. The shank 234 is complementally tapered toengage the tapered portion 232 and is slit at 238 to permit the narrowportion of the shank to be sprung over the wider portions of the feedbar. An undercut bore 240 is provided in the lower end of the shell 230adjacentv the air space 228, there being a shoulder 242 extending aroundthe inner end thereof. A sleeve 244 of ink resistant, resilientmaterial, such as Aelastic Vinylite, is inserted into the bore 240 whereit is tain penswhich arev guaranteed for life or forever, itis customaryto use a pen point which is stiffer and harder lthan those used in aconventional pen, to preclude their breaking, be-

coming damaged, or: wearing out during the life of the guarantee. Theguaranteed pens have a very harsh feel which tires the writer morerapidly than an ordinary fountain pen. Togive the guaranteed pens thesmooth writing characteristics desired in fountain pens, I mount thefeed bar and nibin a shock absorber which in the embodiment shown takesthe form of a sleeve of elastic and resilient material. I have foundthat the most desirable material for this use is elastic Vinylitebecause that .material resists the corrosive action of ink andretains'its elasticity even though it may be held in a deformed positionfor long periods of time. Furthermore, this material does not adhere tometal nor to the synthetic or plastic material from which the barrel maybe made, which makes-the retained by the shoulder 242 which fits into anannular groove 246 on the sleeve. The sleeve 244 is formed with a,centrally located tapered opening 248 to grip the shank 234 of the nib,frictionally holding it in its seat.

The shell 230 is formed with an opening 260 to receive the nib 236 andthe lower end of the feed bar 2|2.

'I'he feed bar' 2|2 has a capillary ink duct 252 communicating with thecapillary slot 224 in the ink collector. An air duct 258 in theunderside of the feed bar places the air space 228 in communication withthe atmosphere. r

In assembling the pen of Fig. 14, the .nib is mounted on the assembly ofthe feed bar and breather tube 2|6; the resilient sleeve is insertedinto the bore 240, and then the feed bar and nib arel inserted into theopening 2&0, the' tapered portion of the nib seating in the complementa1bore of the sleeve 244.' The ink collector 2|0 may then be insertedvinthe shell by sliding it over the breather tube 2| 6 and feed bar 2 I2,and the-shell then secured to the barrel. Because the Vinylite sleevedoes not lose its elasticity, the nib isfirmly held in place but hasimparted to it a slightly resilient feel during writing. The elasticityof the Vinlylite sleeve also renders the removal of the f eed bar andnib very simple and permits repairs to be made readily.

It will be noted that the nib, in Fig. 14 as well as in otherembodiments of the invention, terminates at the entrance to the airpocket. This construction is highly `advantageous since it avoids thetrouble of air-lock in the air passageway 258. 'I'he nib and feed barmay therefore .be of lesser diameter than usually considered feasible,since even in the smaller diameters the passageway 258 can be made ofadequate sizeto provide a reliable unobstructed path for flow of air tothe air pocket 228. The saving in the amount of gold required for thesmaller size nib is substantial. f

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 15, the bore 240 in the shell 230 isprovided with an annular shoulder 242, and the resilient sleeve 244 isformed `with an annular recess 260 which receives the shoulder 242. Anannular flange or lip 262 engages the upper side of the shoulder 242 tosecure the sleeve 244 in place. A nib 264 having a tapering shank 266engages a tapered portion 268 on the feed'bar 2|2. I have found the mostdesirable taper to be approximately 11/2. The tapered shank 266 andtapered portion 266 of the feed bar are mounted in a tapered opening 210in the sleeve 244 and are held therein, the feed bar by an internalflange 212 on the sleeve 244 and the tapered shank of the nib by theinner surface 210 of the sleeve 242. 'I'he feed bar 2 I2 is formed withthe ink duct 252 communicating with the nib 264. An air duct 268 isprovided on the underside of the feed bar. The assembly of thisconstruction is similar to the construction illustrated in Fig. 14. Inview of the improved writing qualities, the saving in gold necessary for.the nib, and in view of the ready replaceability of the nib, theconstructions of Figs. 14 and l5 represent preferred forms of theinvention.

It is not essential that the nib have the tapered shank portion in theconstructions shown in Figs. 14 and 15. Instead, the shank may becylindrical,

since the frictional grip of the elastic sleeve 244 will be adequate tohold the nib in its correct position.

The shock absorber mounting has been illustrated in connection with apen having a shell portion which encloses the ink collector and feedbar. Other settings for this mounting may be used. For instance, themounting may be incorporated in a more conventional fountain pen havinga detachable nib holder or section, or in a pen having a unitary barrelconstruction.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerousmodifications and changes may be made other than those which have ybeendescribed and illustrated herein. For example, I have shown severalforms of constructing and mounting the pen nib relative to the feed barand the shell, and several methods of mounting the ink collector in thebarrel. It is readily understood that many combinations of these formsmay be made by those skilled in the art without departing from theessential ideas which I have set forth herein. I have found a nib with avery short shank portion to effect a considerable saving in material. Bymounting such nib at the end of the feed bar and having the opposite endof the A feed bar projecting into the ink collector, traversing theintermediate air pocket, excellent feed of .ink to the nib is obtained.f

It will be observed that, in the various embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein, the nib may be aligned with the shell, as contrastedwith prior constructions in which the nib was carried yby and rotatablewith the ink collector. Thus in my improved constructions the nib mayreadily be removed and replaced without disturbing the position of thecollector.

`The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 12 is disclosed andclaimed in my copending divisional application, Serial No. 575,043,filed January 29, 1945.

While I have shown and described particular embodiments of my invention,it will be apparent that numerous variations and modifications thereofmay be made without departing from the underlying principles of theinvention. I`there fore desire, by the following claims, to includewithin the scope of my invention all such variations and modificationsby which substantially the results of my invention may be obtainedthrough the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

I claim:

1. In a fountain pen, the combination. of a barrel having an inkreservoir therein, an ink collector having one end positioned at thelower end of said ink reservoir, a feed bar having a sliding fit in saidcollector, a nib mounted at the lower end of said feed bar and spacedfrom said collector to provide an air space, and means placing said nibin ink receiving communication with said collector and said inkreservoir.

2. In a fountain pen, the combination. of a barrel having an inkreservoir therein, a hollow ink collector having one end positioned atthe lower end of said ink reservoir, a capillary ink duct in saidcollector extending substantially the full length thereof, a feed barfitted in said collector and forming therewith a capillary inkconducting means, a nib mounted at the lower end of said feed bar andspaced from said collector to provide therebetween an air space ofsubstantial volume, and means placing said nib in ink receivingcommunication with saidcapillary ink conducting means.

3. In a fountain pen, the combination of a barrel having an inkreservoir therein, and an ink feeding mechanism in communication withsaid ink reservoir comprising, a member having `a. central openingtherein, a capillary duct extending almost the full length of saidhollow member and in communication with the central opening, a feedcontrol element having one end thereof having a sliding t in said hollowmember and the other end thereof protruding therefrom, the surface area.0f said feed control element forming with the wall of said opening acapillary space, a nib mounted at the lower end of said feed controlelement and spaced from said member to provide an air spacetherebetween, and :means placing said nib in ink receiving`communication with said capillary space.

. 4. In a fountain pen, the combination of a barrel having an inkreservoir therein, an ink feeding mechanism in ink receivingcommunication with said ink reservoir comprising an ink collector, acapillary duct in said ink collector extending almost the full lengththereof, an internal bore in said collector in communication with saidduct, a feed bar having one end in said bore and forming therewith acapillary space, said feed bar being readily separable from saidcollector, a nib mounted at the lower end of said feed Ibar and spacedfrom said ink collector, and a. capillary duct in said feed barconnecting said capillary space and said nib.

5. In a fountain pen, the combination of a barrel having an inkreservoir therein, a shell portion, a nib having its shank portionenclosed within said shell portion, and an ink feeding mechanismenclosed within said barrel and said shell portion comprising, a hollowmember having a. central opening therein and positioned with one endthereof in the lower end of said ink reservoir, a capillary duct in saidhollow member extending approximately the length thereof and incommunicationwith said opening, a feed bar projecting freely into saidopening and. forming therewith a capillary space, said feed bar having acapillary groove therein and having its lower terminus adjacent saidnib, said nib being spaced from said hollow member to provide an airspace, a passageway connecting said air space with the atmosphere, andmeans placing said nib in ink receiving communication with saidcapillary space.

6. In a fountain pen, the combination of a barrel having an inkreservoirtherein, a shell portion detachably mounted on the lower end o f saidbarrel, a nib receiving space formed in the lower end of said shellportion, a nib positioned in said space, and an ink feeding mechanismenclosed within said barrel and said shell portion comprising, an inkcollector positioned with one end thereof in said ink reservoir andhaving a central opening therein, a capillary duct extending lengthwiseof said collector and in communication with said opening, a feed barextending freelyfinto said opening and forming therewith a capillarypassageway, said feed bar having its lower terminus adjacent the tip ofsaid nib and providing a capillary passageway forming the sole means forconducting ink from said collector to said nib.

7. In a fountain -pen having an ink reservoir, a hollow ink collectorpositioned with one end l inthe lower-end of said reservoir,'a nib, and

means mounting said nib spaced a substantial distance longitudinallyfrom said collector and in ink receiving communication therewithcomprising, a feed bar having one end thereof within said collector,means mounting said nib at the opposite end of said feed bar with thewriting tip protruding beyond'the end of said feed bar, and a capillaryduct in said feed bar to conduct ink from said collector to said nib.

8. In a fountain pen having an ink reservoir, a hollow ink collectorpositioned at` the lower end of said reservoir, a nib, a feed barmounted with one end projecting freely into said ink collector and theother end adjacent said nib, means `for feeding ink from said reservoirto said nib,

and means for positioning said nib on said feed bar comprising, aconical shank portion on said nib, a conical portion on said feed baradapted to be engaged by said shank portion, and means preventinglongitudinal displacement of said nib relative to said feed bar.

9. In a fountain pen having an ink reservoir, a hollow ink collectorpositioned at the lower end of said reservoir, a nib, a feed bar mountedwith one end projecting freely into said ink collector and the other endadjacent said nib, means for feeding ink from said collector to saidnib, and means for positioning said nib on said feed bar with the nibspaced aA substantial distance from said collector comprising, a conicalshank portion on said nib, a conical portion on said feed bar adapted tobe engaged by said shank portion,

I and means preventing longitudinal and angular a conical shank portionformed on said nib, a

complemental conical portion on said feed bar receiving and engagingsaid conical shank, a recess in said conical portion of said feed bar,and

` means formed on said nib and projecting into said recess to preventangular displacement of said nib relative to said feed bar;

11. In a fountain pen having an in k` reservoir,

an ink collector communicating with said reservoir, a feed bar, a nibspaced apart from said co1- lector, and means mounting said nib on thelower end of said feed'bar comprising, a conical shank portion formed onsaid nib, a complementa! conical portion on said feed bar receiving andengaging said co'nical shank, a shell surrounding said collector andhaving wedging engagement with said feed bar and nib, and means forpreplemental conical portion on said feed bar having a shoulder at oneend thereof and receiving and engaging said shank. and means formed onsaid,

nib to engage said shoulder to prevent longitudi nal displacement ofsaid nib relative to said feed bar.

13. In a fountain pen having an ink reservoir, an ink collector, a feedbar, a nib spaced apart from said collector, and means mounting said nibon said feed bar comprising, a conical shank portion formed on said nib,a complemental conical portion on said feed bar having a shoulder at oneend and receiving said' shank, a recess in said conical portion of saidfeed bar, and means formed on said shank to engage in said recess toprevent angular displacement of said nib relative to said feed bar andto prevent longitudinal displacement of said nib relative to said feedbar.

14. In a fountain pen, in combination, a barrel forming an inkreservoir, an ink collector communicating with said reservoir, a feedbar, a nibl spaced apart, from said collector and mounted at the lowerend of said feed bar, a shell detachably mounted on` the lower end ofsaid barrel and enclosing said ink collector, said feed bar and saidnib, and means mounting said nib. comprising, a tapered seat inthe lowerend of said shell, a tapered portion on said feed bar, and a taperedshank on said nib secured between said tapered seat and said taperedportion on said i feed bar.

bar, a nib spaced apart from said collector and mounted at the lower endof said feed bar, a shell detachably mounted on the lower end of saidbarrel and enclosing said ink collector, said feed bar and said nib,means mounting said nib comprising, a tapered seat in the lower end ofsaid shell, a complementally tapered portion on said feed bar, and atapered shank on said nib clamped between said tapered seat and saidtapered portion on said feed bar, and means preventing longitudinal andangular displacement of said feed bar relative to said nib.

16. As a new article of manufacture, a fountain pen nib having a shankportion, said shank portion being tapered and provided with a slotthroughout its length on the underside thereof, and an inwardly directedarcuate flange integral with said shank portion.

1'7. In a fountain pen, the combination of a barrel having an inkreservoir therein and an air space in a shell cup located below said inkresorvoir, a hollow ink collector disposed in said shell cup with oneend in said ink reservoir and the opposite end in said air space, a feedbar with the upper end thereof projecting freely into said ink collectorand the lower end protruding from the lower end of said shell, a nibreceiving space formed in the lower end of said shell, a nib longi- -Inel formed between said ink collector and said feed bar to place thelower end of said feed bar and said nib in ink receiving communicationwith said ink reservoir.

18. In a fountain pen, in combination, a barrel with a shell having anib receiving seat at its lower end, a complementally formed nib posi-`tioned in said seat, a feed bar securing said nib against said seat, anink collector mounted in said barrel and freely receiving the upper endof said feed bar, said ink collector dividing said barrel into twochambers, the upper of said chambers comprising the ink reservoir, andduct means formed in said ink collector and in said feed bar to conductink from said reservoir to said nib.

19. In a fountain pen having a nib, a finger grip portion hollow at itsupper end overlying said nib, and means mounting said nib in said fingergrip portion, comprising, a bore in the lower end of said grip portion,a wall separating said bore from the upper end of said grip portion, anopening in said wall connecting said bore and the hollow upper end ofsaid grip portion, and a feed bar extending through said opening, saidnib frictionally engaging said feed bar and abutting said wall.

20. In a fountain pen having a feed bar, a nib mounted at the lower endof said feed bar, a shank portion on said nib having a longitudinal slotextending the length thereof on the underside of said nib, a pluralityof inwardly projecting indentations on said shank portion engaging saidfeed bar to space said nib from said feed bar to form a capillary areabetween said nib and said feed bar.

21. As a new article of manufacture, a nib having a shank portion, alongitudinal slot in the underside of said shank portion, and aplurality of inwardly projecting indentations in said shank portion.

22. In a fountain pen, in combination, a barrel having an ink reservoirtherein, an ink collector having one end thereof at the lower end ofsaid ink reservoir, a shell portion enclosing said ink collector andmounted on said barrel, and a flange on said collector abutting thelower end of said barrel and slidably engaging the inner wall of saidshell portion to position said collector within said shell portion whensaid shell portion is mounted on said barrel.

23. In a fountain pen, in combination, an ink reservoir, an inkcollector having one end thereof in said reservoir, a feed bar, a nibmounted at the lower end of said feed bar, a shell portion enclosingsaid ink collector and said feed bar and overlying said nib, and amounting for said nib carried by said shell portion including a sleeveof ink resistant resilient material gripping the shank portion of saidnib.

24. In a fountain pen having a shell, a feed bar contained therein, anib mounted at the lower end of said feed bar with the writing tipthereof protruding from said shell, and means for mounting said nibincluding a sleeve of ink resistant resilient material gripping theshank portion of said nib and secured in said shell portion.

25. In a fountain pen, a feed bar, a nib mounted at the lower end ofsaid feed bar, an element surrounding said feed bar, and means mountingsaid nib in said element including a sleeve of ink resistant, resilientand elastic material gripping the shank portion of said nib and securedin said element.

26. In a fountain pen, a feed bar, a nib mounted at the lower end ofsaid feed bar, an element surrounding said feed bar, and means mountingsaid nib in said element including a sleeve of elastic Vinylite grippingthe shank portion of said nib and secured in said element.

27, In a fountain pen, a shell, a feed bar enclosed therein, a nibmounted at the Alower end of said feed bar with the writing tip thereofprotruding from said shell, and means mounting said nib comprising, atapered shank portion on said nib, a complementally tapered portion onsaid feed bar receiving said tapered shank, a bore in said shelladjacent the lower end thereof, a sleeve of ink resistant resilient andelastic material surrounding and gripping said tapered shank portion ofsaid nib, and means retaining said-sleeve in said bore.

28. In a fountain pen, a shell portion, a feed bar enclosed within saidshell portion, a nib mounted at the lower end of said feed bar with itswriting tip protruding from said shell portion, and means mounting saidnib comprising a tapered shank portion on said nib, a complementallytapered portion on said feed bar receiving said tapered shank, a bore insaid shell portion adjacent the lower end thereof, a shoulder on theinner periphery of said bore, a sleeve of ink resistant resilientmaterial in said bore, said sleeve having a tapered opening therethroughto receive and grip said tapered shank,` and means formed in said sleeveto engage said shoulder.

29. In a fountain pen, a shell portion, a feed bar enclosed within saidshell portion, a nib mounted at the lower end of said feed bar with itswriting tip protruding from said shell portion, and means mounting saidnib comprising, a sleeve of ink resistant resilient' material in saidshell surrounding and gripping said shank portion of said nib, meansformed on said sleeve also to engage said feed bar, and means retainingsaid sleeve in said bore.

30. In a fountain pen, a shell, a feed bar enclosed therein, a nibmounted at the lower end of said feed bar, and means mounting said nibcomprising a shank portion on said nib, a portion on said feed barreceiving said shank, a bore in said a complementally tapered portion onsaid feed bar receiving said tapered shank, a bore in said shelladjacent the lower end thereof, a shoulder on the inner periphery-ofsaid bore, a sleeve of ink resistant resilient material positioned insaid bore and having an opening therethrough to receive and grip saidtapered shank, and an annular groove in said sleeve to receive saidshoulder retaining said sleeve in said bore.

ARTHUR O. DAHLBERG.

